UU LANSING NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2018
5509 S. Pennsylvania, Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 351-4081 [email protected] www.uulansing.org
Administrative Office Hours:
Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Other times by appointment
WELCOME TO UU LANSING! This church is not right for everyone, but it is here for anyone who wishes to engage in a free and responsible search for truth and meaning in covenant with us. Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal religion. This means that agreements of relationship, not creed, define our faith. Instead of providing answers to life’s mysteries, we support each other in exploring questions. We are a democratically run church with elected leadership, and we are a community of sharing: sharing our doubts and our life journeys, sharing space in our building and things and resources, sharing experiences, sharing holidays and personal celebrations, sharing joys and sorrows, frustrations, problems, responsibilities, decision-making, work, and accomplishments. Right now, we are sharing a time of transition and new possibilities as we seek our next settled minister as well as new ways of governing ourselves, serving the community, and including all those who wish to be with us in covenant. We welcome you to share in the creation of our beloved community.
OUR MINISTERS Our Senior Minister, the Rev. John Newcomb Marsh, is serving our congregation as a two-year Interim Minister while our democratically elected Ministerial Search Committee seeks our next settled minister. Rev. Marsh is traveling out of state and will return in late August.
Interim Minister Rev. John Marsh / [email protected] / (517) 351-4081 ext. 103
Our Ministerial Intern, theresa rohlck, is also away this summer. She writes, “Dear friends, “Out of sight but not out of mind . . . at least from my perspective! I often have thought about you and what’s happening in Lansing these past couple months. My internship will resume on September 9 at the Water Communion service. I am looking forward to being back amongst you and continuing to learn from you all. “Last June after the Pride service, a group of congregants interested in forming some kind of affinity group for LGBTQIAA+ (including Allies) folks met briefly to brainstorm some ideas of what that group might look like. What is clear is that there is interest, and a need, to
have a more active and visible presence within this congregation. Early in September I hope to hold another meeting to keep us moving forward on this. In the meantime, if you did not attend that meeting in June and are interested in being part of an LGBTQIAA+ affinity group, you can email me directly, and I’ll add you to the email group I will be creating later this summer. “I’ve been busy with my seminary classes the past couple months, will be in Portland, OR for the UU Musicians Network conference the first week of August, and then will have another week in Chicago at the end of the month, to kick off my final(!) semester. When I started seminary, getting to the point when I would become an intern seemed like an eternity away, and now, it’s half over! “I wish for each and all a most blessed August, and I truly look forward to seeing you again soon.”
Ministerial Intern theresa rohlck / [email protected] / (517) 351-4081 ext. 109
SUNDAY CELEBRATIONS AND EVENTS
We worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday mornings. Some services are preceded by a movement practice and/or hymn sing. All are welcome to participate or witness quietly.
Discussion groups meet at 9:15 a.m. in the Parlor (Let’s Grow) and Chapin Room (Forum) most Sundays.
Our cry room and staffed nursery are available every Sunday unless noted.
Children are invited to go to Summer Religious Education after the Story for All Ages most Sundays.
August 5: worship with the Diversity & Inclusion Team; music by Betty Sanford, Cindy Scott, Brian Seeger Sharing Sunday is the first Sunday of the month, when we leave and/or take objects, produce, or
shelf-stable foods that may be useful to a new owner. All are invited to leave and take items. Popcorn sales by Stone Soup fund a blessing box to provide personal items to those in need. Pretty Good Book Group meets at noon in the Chapin Room to discuss The Dawn of Detroit by Tiya
Mills. All are welcome to bring a sack lunch and attend any monthly book discussion.
August 12: “Vacation” with Mark McWilliams and music by Mike Lawrence and Chris & Marcy Christoff Our Second-Sunday Plate Collection is accepted for the Refugee Development Center. Many UUs already know about services that RDC provides here in our building—adult English classes, Sewing Circle, and a summer youth camp. In other sites around town, RDC offers more adult English classes, after-school tutoring, youth support groups, parenting classes, nutrition education, and assistance for starting small businesses. If you attended the Community Dinner at our church on July 25 that was co-sponsored with RDC, you ate the cooking of two caterers who got a lot of help and advice from staff at RDC to start their new businesses. The RDC helps people from all over the world start a new life in the Lansing area. Please consider contributing to their good work so that a strong message of “You are welcome here” continues to be heard in our community. Please write all checks to UU Lansing, and fill in the memo with “RDC” or your other intention. All undesignated checks and cash collected on August 12 will be donated to the RDC.
August 19: “Altruism” with Kathy Lovell and Zabby Cox and music by the Jazz Combo Orientation for kitchen monitors begins after worship, for those who would like to volunteer. August 26: Poetry Sunday with Ruelaine Stokes and music by the Jazz Combo
MUSIC NOTES
When you read this, I’ll be in Portland, Oregon for the conference of the UU Musicians Network. This year, in addition to my annual report as Treasurer (I’m finishing the second year of my three-year term), I’m presenting a workshop on effective rehearsal techniques. This is my first time presenting a workshop to this group, so send good thoughts my way. I get so much from these conferences—everything from new hymns for the congregation and repertoire for the choirs to best practices of running a music program for a church of our size. But perhaps most useful of all is the actual network of other music professionals. I rely on my colleagues for guidance and support, and our program here at UU Lansing is enriched by my interactions with them. Thank you for continuing to support my membership and participation with the Professional Development money you allocate every year in the budget. MUSICIANS’ RETREAT And just like that, it seems the summer is ending. We’re gearing up for the new program year, and we’re starting off with a retreat for ALL of our church musicians on Wednesday, August 15 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Delta Gamma sorority house, 365 N. Harrison Rd., East Lansing. This will be an event full of food, community, covenant, and, of course, music. If you are involved in music at UU Lansing (or even considering it), please gather up your instruments and voices and join us! RSVP to [email protected]. NEW WOMEN’S CHORUS DIRECTOR We’re delighted to introduce our new director of the Women’s Chorus: Kate Huizinga. Kate hails from Muskegon, where her mother is the longtime music director at Harbor UU. Kate is entering her junior year at MSU studying choral music education. Here are a few words from Kate herself: “I’m a music education student at MSU and have been a part of the community at Harbor UU Congregation in Muskegon since I was very young. I grew up singing in HUUC’s choir, led by my mother, and being heavily involved with the youth group. I have been an official member of HUUC for the past several years. In the greater East Lansing community, I have served as an assistant conductor for the CMS Singers and a music theory teacher for the Middle School Band Camp through MSU’s Community Music School. Over the last year, I’ve also conducted Burcham Sings, led children’s music activities at the small non-profit Mind Meets Music, and worked as an education intern at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. I’ve sung with Women’s Chamber Ensemble, University Chorale, State Singers, Chamber Choir, and Practicum Choir, and I recently made my debut with MSU Opera Theatre. I will student teach in fall 2020 and graduate the following December. “I am beyond excited to be directing the Women’s Chorus at UU Lansing. I hope to further the musicianship of each person in the ensemble while strengthening the bonds between all members. I’ll strive to challenge the Women’s Chorus with appealing song choices and have a good time making music as a choral family.”
MORE FOLK OPPORTUNITIES Many of our current and prospective folk musicians have asked for more opportunities to get together and play, so we’ve worked out a way to make that happen. Beginning in August, we will have Folk Jams on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month. This will be an opportunity to learn some new pieces, play some old favorites, and build community among ourselves. I’ll “facilitate” these sessions, which only means that I’ll open the doors and help with time management, but as always, the Folk Band will be self-led. Start thinking about music that you want to play, and let’s have some fun together. JAZZ AND MORE JAMS Randy Scott organizes additional jam sessions for the purpose of music-making in fellowship, not rehearsal. If you’re interested in folk, jazz, or similar, you are welcome to join these friendly get-togethers on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. For more information, contact Randy Scott or myself. SUNDAY MORNING HYMN SINGS On the third Sunday of each month, we have a Hymn Sing just before the service begins (10:15-10:30). This is a chance to sing old favorites and learn some new ones. This month’s Hymn Sing will be August 19. WORSHIP MUSICAL GROUPS Each of these groups performs during selected worship services throughout the year. The choirs have weekly rehearsals; Folk is moving to a bi-weekly schedule; and Jazz Combo schedules rehearsal dates and locations to suit the members of the group. Contact me if you are interested in any of these groups. The Chalice Choir starts up again next month with sectional rehearsals September 4 & 5 and a regular rehearsal on September 6. We are part of the service twice each month from September through May. The Women’s Chorus resumes regular Monday night rehearsals on September 10 at 7:00 p.m. with our new conductor Kate Huizinga. The Women’s Chorus sings in service four to six times each year. The Jazz Combo plays various styles of jazz in worship as well as occasional outside gigs. The Folk Band plays traditional folk music as well as contemporary singer-songwriter pieces. Rehearsals this year will be the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary and begin August 14.
L.H. Brown, Director of Music / [email protected] / (517) 351-4081 ext. 105
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Summer Religious Education (RE) experiences for children are in full swing and go through the end of August. After the Story for All Ages during service, the children may leave the Sanctuary and go to the RE wing for a fun activity or to meet a visiting guest star. Children are also welcome to stay with their parents during service, or parents may accompany their children to RE. Here is our schedule of activities. Please note that it is subject to change if something awesome comes along that we must include! August 5: Worm Visitors August 12: Nature Scavenger Hunt August 19: Tinker, Create, & Explore August 26: Candle Making September 2: Labor Day Service for All Ages (no separate RE) On some of our RE days, we could use an extra pair of hands. Do consider joining your child and exploring the world with us. It’s time, once again, to register children and youth for the new season of Religious Education. Classes begin September 16. There are two ways to sign up. First, hard copy forms will be available at the Connections Corner and the RE Information Table in the RE hallway. The second way is to register online at: http://bit.ly/REregistration2018-19. All children and youth must be registered for Religious Education classes after attending three times or more. We need the names and contact information of parents or guardians, knowledge of any medical issues or allergies, and particular learning styles or behavioral concerns. This helps us plan the class configurations, try to provide a good RE environment and experience for your child, and keep in touch. Please take a few minutes to register your child today.
Our programs are cooperative. Classrooms are staffed by parents and other adult volunteers. In
pairs, adults take turns leading and assisting in each class. We provide session plans, orientation, training, and support. For the safety of the children, we also require a background check. With enough volunteers, your commitment may only be seven to ten Sunday mornings each year, leaving plenty of weeks to enjoy service. On the registration form, please indicate how you’d like to help out. It truly takes a village to raise people of integrity, love, and faith – young Unitarian Universalists! Seize the summer day. August is here!
Teresa Putnam, Director of Lifespan Faith Development / [email protected] / (517) 351-4081 ext. 104
JOIN US FOR COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
You are invited to join us after worship in the Social Hall to greet friends and meet new people over a cup of coffee or tea and a delicious bite to eat. Be sure to stop by the Atrium for information about everything that is currently happening at church. GETTING OUT THE VOTE The Fifth Principle of Unitarian Universalists calls us to uphold the use of the democratic process, both in our own congregation and in our larger communities. Visit VOTE411.org for candidate and voting information. Do you have a plan to vote? Do you know your precinct? Find out how to request an absentee ballot and more, and plan to vote in the primary election on Tuesday, August 7, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Then, all are welcome to a “Get Out the Vote” volunteer organizing meeting on Tuesday, August 14, 6:30 p.m., in the Augusta Jane Chapin Room. ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES Do you have an idea for a class that you would like to take here at church? Do you have an idea for a class or experience that you would like to offer? The Adult Religious Education Committee is now accepting submissions for this fall. Offerings must fit within the parameters of UU identity, social justice, or non-UU religions/culture/spirituality. Please submit ideas online to Bit.ly/UULansingActivitiesForm. Let Renee Swanson (chair) or Teresa Putnam (Director of Lifespan Faith Development) know if you have any difficulty. Proposals are due by August 12 so we may consider them our August 16 meeting. POLICE CHIEFS FORUM All are invited to the church Sanctuary on Thursday, August 23, 6:00 p.m., to participate in a dialogue with law enforcement officers, students, and Mid-Michigan residents. There will be four police chiefs and two sheriffs representing East Lansing, Eaton Rapids, MSU, and Bath. Questions will be asked about police policies and procedures, use of force policies, and any policies that are in place to promote racial justice and reduce profiling.
SUNDAY MORNING HOSPITALITY AND BAKING TEAMS Join us! New hospitality teams are forming now and start serving at the beginning of September. We need new folks to join the team in providing a warm welcome on Sunday mornings, and the time commitment is just six or seven Sundays per calendar year. If you prefer to share your talents in the kitchen, we are forming a baking team to meet once a month to socialize and bake tasty treats for Sunday mornings. To sign up, contact Acting Membership Coordinator Beth Scanlon at [email protected] or (517) 351-4081 ext. 106.
Save the date! This year’s Concert Across America will be held in our church Sanctuary on Sunday, September 23, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
